Following the phenomenal success of Monty Python's Flying Circus, Michael Palin and Terry Jones created this unforgettable, BAFTA-winning series of comic plays for the BBC.

Gleefully parodying the conventions of Boys' Own-style adventure, Ripping Yarns sees Palin taking the protagonist's role in nine rip-roaring stories from stirring tales of sporting endeavour, intrepid exploration and wartime heroism to skulduggery, supernatural mystery and murder... and, of course, the notorious exploits of Eric Olthwaite - Yorkshire's most interesting outlaw.

An illustrious supporting cast includes John Le Mesurier, Iain Cuthbertson, Denholm Elliott, Joan Sanderson and Don Henderson, with Terry Jones co-starring in one episode and fellow Python John Cleese also making a cameo appearance; the series was produced and directed by the multi award-winning team of Terry Hughes (The Two Ronnies), Jim Franklin (The Goodies) and Alan J.W. Bell (The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy).

First released: Monday 11th October 2004

Extra features

• Deleted scenes
• 1983 documentary, Comic Roots, in which Palin revisits his native Sheffield[x/]
• Secrets, the only surviving recording of Palin and Jones's 1973 screenplay for the BBC's darkly comic (now sadly wiped) Black And Blue anthology series